Cardillac is very like its composer Paul Hindemith, one of those works that I more appreciate than love. It is a very interesting and well-crafted opera with a story that is both energetic and full of atmosphere. The music won't be for all tastes though, with me the decadence and density of it suits the story very well indeed, but do be warned, Cardillac is done in a style that you may not be as familiar to you and you may find it somewhat unpleasant and alien to you. This is a great production of Cardillac though and will serve as a good introduction to it. Personally the only criticism is the chorus' diction, which is not always clear, with somewhat of a mumbling quality. The costumes and sets are expressionistic, stark and angular, and in a good way as it does reflect the nature of the music and storytelling perfectly. The angular set design and costumes that are the very meaning of grotesque people will most likely find "ugly", while not as extreme as that from personal reaction that is understandable, but considering that there is very little "beautiful" about Cardillac in the first place it is appropriate. The staging is compelling and dramatic, it doesn't look static or amateurish, while the orchestra play with the right amount of textural density, decadence and warped beauty that the score demands, the chorus apart from some unclear diction sing and act with vigour and involvement and Wolfgang Sawallisch's conducting is full of authority and liveliness. Brash perhaps but again in an appropriate way. The performances are excellent across the board, showing an ability to bring Mozartian-like elegance and Wagnerian-like heft to their roles. The best of the cast is Donald McIntyre in the lead, his voice has elegance and heft as well as beautiful phrasing and his acting shows perfectly a sinister character that you do feel sympathy for at the end. Overall, the opera will take time to get used to but the production itself is great. 9/10 Bethany Cox
